RTPV Weekly E-Shofar - Tuesday 10.25.2022

November 2, 2022 - Heshvan 5783 - Meditation Stroll, Kristallnacht Speaker, Movie Night, a capella concert and more!

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Lech L'cha לָךְ-לְךָ
Go Forth
Genesis 12:1−17:27 / Learn more . . .

UPDATE: Hybrid Services Continue

Masks are now optional. While services are now held both in our Sanctuary and via Zoom, we ask that for everyone's safety and security, in-person attendees must be fully vaccinated.

This Week at a Glance

FRIDAY, November 4 - Shabbat service at 7 pm with Rabbi Skarz - in person and via Zoom (link below). Join us after for Oneg Shabbat sponsored by Lisa Keogh

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Join us at Teatown Nature Preserve this Sunday at 10:30 am for a Walking Meditation for the Soul (rain date Nov 13).This is a gentle walk using nature as a focus for quiet meditation.

Using Jewish meditation sources and prayers for kavanah (intention), we walk silently for a few minutes focusing on our senses . . . stopping to reflect and discuss the experience of walking without talking. Having knowledge of meditation is not necessary - the act of walking and focusing on nature will be the meditation. Rabbi Sklarz, Robin Bass and Pam Zicca will facilitate.

Upcoming Dates & Events

Rabbi Sklarz is delighted to share that we have an incredible speaker for our upcoming Krystalnacht service - Cantor Judith Steel, who was fourteen months old when she was aboard the ill-fated St. Louis and is one of the youngest living holocaust survivors.

Cantor Steel was born in Berlin at the beginning of WWII. Her family was Jewish and escaped aboard the ship St Louis in 1939 when she was an infant . . . only to be turned away by Cuba and the US. The ship was returned to Europe. Her family disembarked in Belgium only to be detained at Camp Gurs, then moved to Rivesaltes, and finally Auschwitz. During this time her father was able to sneak her out to a French Catholic family, where she lived as a hidden child during the war. She came to live in the US in 1946, sponsored by her Aunt and Uncle.

Cantor Judith Steel is an Interfaith minister and an active speaker for various organizations as well as schools and many places of worship. She feels that she has the responsibility to tell her story of survival for the good of future generations. Judith Steel's memoir, Love Brought Me Through The Holocaust, A Daughter's Memory is available on Amazon.com.

Join us at RTPV to view King Richard - the film stars Will Smith as Richard Williams, the father and coach of famed tennis players Venus and Serena Williams (both of whom served as executive producers on the film), with Aunjanue Ellis, Saniyya Sidney, Demi Singleton, Tony Goldwyn, and Jon Bernthal in supporting roles. Snacks provided.

LOOKING AHEAD

Mark these dates on you calendar!

Monday Israeli Dance Classes continue - 7-9 pm with Robin Bass
November 4, Friday - Shabbat service at 7 pm with Rabbi Sklarz - in person and via Zoom
November 6, Sunday - Walking Meditation for the Soul at 10:30 am at Teatown Nature Preserve (rain date Nov 13)
November 11, Friday - Special Shabbat remembering Kristallnacht service at 7 pm with Rabbi Sklarz and guest speaker Cantor Judith Steel - ZOOM ONLY
November 12, Saturday - Movie Night at 6:30 pm at RTPV
November 13, Sunday - Magevet a capella Concert at First Hebrew in Peekskill at 2 pm
November 18, Friday - Shabbat service at 7:30 pm with Chazzanit Annice - in person and via Zoom – including a discussion on The Aftermath of Sarah's death - Land and Mourning.
November 19, Saturday - Havdalah at 7 pm with Chazzanit Annice - Zoom only
November 20, Sunday, Interfaith Thanksgiving Service at 4 pm at Temple Beth Am in Yorktown
November 25, Friday - Rosh Chodesh Shabbat service at 7 pm with Chazzanit Annice - ZOOM ONLY – including a discussion about the Hebrew month of KislevHanukkah begins at sunset on Sunday, December 18 through 26, 2022

Many people mark a special occasion such as a birthday, anniversary, wedding or other Simcha by hosting the Oneg Shabbat. Others may choose to honor a loved one's yahrzeit by being present to say Kaddish and hosting an Oneg Shabbat. If you are interested in hosting, please contact our Oneg Coordinator, Pam Kolber Zicca at pamzicca@gmail.com.

Fundraising Notes

LEAVES & PLAQUES

Reserve your leaf on the RTPV Simcha Tree - $180 donation to RTPV
Is there someone you wish to honor or a life-cycle event you wish to mark?
Rabbi Sklarz will dedicate the leaf during a Shabbat Service in the Sanctuary and on Zoom. Please contact Lisa Keogh at lisakeogh@optonline.net for more information.

Memorial Plaque - $270 donation to RTPV
Honor the memory of your departed loved ones by placing a plaque on the Memorial Wall. The name(s) of your loved ones are also inscribed in our Yizkor Remembrance Book in perpetuity at Yom Kippur. Assistance is available to design and/or research the Hebrew name for your plaque. Up to two names may go on one plaque. Please contact Lisa Keogh at 914.282.3931 or lisakeogh@optonline.net.

MEMBERS SUPPORTING RTPV

Please visit Pam Zicca Croton Arts to see beautiful hand-made blank note cards from Pam's collection of flora and fauna and landscapes that include the Freedom Tower and local nature. 10% of all sales go to RTPV. Pam is an active RTPV Board member participating on the membership, sunshine, and fundraising committees, and scheduling Oneg Shabbat refreshments.

To see all the beautiful pottery on Etsy by Faith Oland and Maxine Oland, please click FaithOlandPottery, long time RTPV member and Maxine Oland: Functional Artisan Pottery . . . soap dispensers, honey pots, and mugs.
10% percent of sales to members go to RTPV.

Temple Note

As we continue to move through these strange and challenging times, please know that we appreciate your participation in services and programs online. We are committed to maintaining our thriving community as well as your well-being and safety! Every action we take is with your health and safety foremost in our minds. Thank you for your understanding and cooperation!

"Chazak, chazak v'nitchazeik," be strong, and let us strengthen one another. May you be blessed with good health and spiritual strength!

RTPV E-Shofar comes out each Tuesday. Please reach out to temple president, Robin Bass, with any questions. rtpvinfo@gmail.com

About RTPV

Founded in 1967, The Reform Temple of Putnam Valley is a progressive congregation serving Putnam and Northern Westchester. RTPV’s mission, as a House of Prayer, Study and Assembly, includes these goals: To honor the individual’s role in developing her/his Jewish identity; to offer an inspirational place of spiritual contemplation, remembrance, and honor; to foster a sense of Jewish identity by stressing the importance of acts of kindness and by working towards a just and compassionate world; and to participate in social action to make the world a better place for all people.

Shabbat services are held Friday evenings at 7:00 pm, currently in person as well as on Zoom. The Hebrew School provides religious school for preschoolers through young adults and adult education programs. The congregation is particularly sensitive to the varied needs of members, including individuals raised in various Jewish traditions and interfaith families, and welcomes Jews from all backgrounds and lifestyles.

RTPV is proud of its commitment to the community, most notably as co-founders of the Putnam Valley Community Food Pantry. Events include High Holy Days services, Hanukkah and Purim Fests, hiking club, movie nights, summer BBQ, Coffee House Evening, Sisterhood and Brotherhood Events, Social Action and more. For more information, email Rabbi Andrew R. Sklarz at rabbisklarz@gmail.com, visit www.rtpv.org, or come to a Friday night service at the temple - all are welcome!

Copyright © 2022 Reform Temple of Putnam Valley, All rights reserved.

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